A Chump At Oxford   European ('Extended') 6-reel print -vs- the 4-reel Streamliner print:   SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
As most Laurel & Hardy buffs will know by now, there are two versions of A Chump At Oxford: The original 42-minute 'Streamliner' version, and a 63-minute extended version. But what really is the difference between the two prints? Well, actually the difference is considerable! To cut a long story short, there is a huge difference of 6 minutes and 40 seconds.

The extended version starts with the unemployment agency, and carries on through to the conclusion of the dinner scene with the boys as butler and maid. This extra footage was added onto the beginning of the previously-filmed Streamliner version in post-production.

The extended version (the hitchhiking scene with Sam Lufkin, the employement agency reception scene with Vivien Oakland and the dinner scene with James Finlayson and Anita Garvin) runs for approximately an extra 14 minutes 53 seconds.

Let's start with the opening scene of the 'Streamliner' version, which is where the study begins.

The establishing shot from where the Streamliner edition begins (with Stan and Ollie pushing the dustcart along the road) begins at 14:53 during the Extended version. From this point onwards the Extended print runs 47 minutes 49 seconds - exactly 6 minutes and 40 seconds longer than Streamliner version, which runs only 41 minutes and 09 seconds.

*Running times are from THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION DVD prints.... The times in brackets for each clip reflect the DVD running time for where the alternative footage is marked.
DIFFERENCE #1    
...... The opening shot is the same...

EXTENDED VERSION  (15:06 - 15:10) -

The opening shot of the street shows the boys walking along from right to left with Stan pushing a dust cart.  Stan makes a clattering sound with his cart and Ollie turns around to see what it is.  Just as Ollie gets to the fire hydrant/mailbox we then cut to a close-up of the boys as Ollie adjusts his hat slightly before another edit cuts back to the wide shot as Stan raises his left arm before they take the corner.

STREAMLINER VERSION
  (01:05 - 01:11)

In the same scene, just at the moment Ollie turns around to see what the clattering sound was, Ollie turns to Stan and takes the dustpan away from him.  He then turns back round and carries walking, as Stan raises his left arm before they take the corner.  This is all in one cut, with no edits.

Difference: Alternate takes, both have exclusive footage to each print.  The Extended version is 3 seconds longer.


DIFFERENCE #2

EXTENDED VERSION  (14:53 - 16:13) - After the boys have walked around the corner, we cut to a close-up on them when Ollie holds the dustpan up to signal Stan to halt.  At the exact moment Stan stabs his first piece of litter in the road we only see Ollie and Stan in the picture.  After Stan stabs the litter, he picks it off the end of the spike with his hand and throws it in the nearby bin.  After a short time, Stan finds a small rock in the road and picks it up.  We cut to a close-up on a man-hole in the road, then back to Stan as he asks Ollie: "Hey, lob me your broom".  He takes Ollie's broom and shoots the rock into the hole, hitting a dazed worker on the head.  When the boys realise they have hit someone they quickly fumble with the broom and resmue their work.  This scene runs for exactly 60 seconds and is absent from the streamliner version.
STREAMLINER VERSION  (01:20 - 01:43) - This is seen in long-shot with the back of a truck to the left of the picture.  At the exact moment Stan stabs his first piece of litter in the road there are two other people (other than Ollie) clearly in the shot: a man walking from right to left and a woman walking in the opposite direction.  After Stan stabs the litter, it momentarily falls off before he picks it up out of the road with his hands and throws it in the nearby bin.  Also, Stan attempts to pick up more rubbish from the street but it keeps getting blown away by the wind.  Stan then pulls the dustcart closer to him as Ollie attempts to empty his dustpan into the cart.
Difference: Alternative takes, with the streamliner version being much tighter in its editing, completely removing the section with Stan hitting the rock into the manhole.  The extended version is 60 seconds longer.

DIFFERENCE #3



Point of reference: the alarm clock rings at - 16:48 on the Extended version (1m 55secs into film), and at 02:17 on the Streamliner film (1m 26secs into film).
By the time the alarm clock rings, we have already seen 29 extra seconds in the Extended version).

DIFFERENCE #4
   
After Stan sweeps the dust under Ollie to sit down on the step for lunch...

EXTENDED VERSION  (17:09 - 18:20
The boys begin a conversation which is absent in the Streamliner version:
Ollie: "Well here we are at last, right down in the gutter.  I wonder what's the matter with us?  We're just as good as other people yet we don't seem to advance ourselves; we never get any place."
Stan: "You know what the trouble is don't you?  We've never had no education.  That's what's the matter.  You see, we're not illiterate enough."
Ollie: "I guess you're right"
Stan: "Sure I'm right!  You see, if we went to school like other people, we... we would learn our three R's and today there'd be no job too small for us.  Believe me."
Ollie: "What do you mean, three R's?"
Stan: "Well, reading, writing and... er... figurin'"
Ollie: "Figurin'?"
Stan: "Sure.  You know, two and two makes something, and four and four makes something else.. it's different to the first..."
Ollie: "You mean rhythmatic"
Stan: "Yeah, I knew what it meant, but I couldn't say it."
Ollie: "I think you've got something there"
Stan: "Have I?"
Ollie: "Yeah.  After we finish work today we'll start going to night school."
Stan: "That's a good idea.  Too bad we didn't think of that before."

At this point Stan takes out a large pile of sandwiches from his pocket, and this is where the Streamliner version kicks in again...


STREAMLINER VERSION
  @ 02:41

The above scene is completely missing and cuts from them sitting on the step up until the moment Stan gets the sandwiches out.  The Streamliner version has an extra couple of seconds with Ollie rubbing his hands on his legs in anticipation of Stan handing over the sandwich.
......  


DIFFERENCE #5
   
...... EXTENDED VERSION  @ 19:18
The bank sign reads "Farmers & Merchants Bank Of Commerce".

STREAMLINER VERSION
  @ 03:38

The bank sign reads "James Finlayson President".


DIFFERENCE #6
   
...... The scene in the bank where the manager thanks the boys for the capture of the robber is trimmed by 7 seconds.
After Ollie says "in fact we were just talking of going to night school"...

EXTENDED VERSION  (20:41 - 20:48) - The dialogue with the bank manager begins with...

"I see.  Diamonds in the ruff.  And all you need is a little polish with a proper setting." (this is exclusive to this version).  Then the Streamliner version kicks in with; "If it's an education you want..."

STREAMLINER VERSION
  (05:05) - The scene cuts from Ollie to the bank manager: "If it's an education you want, you shall have the finest that money can buy."


The difference: Same footage, which is cut by 7 seconds in the Streamliner edition, removing a couple of lines of dialogue from the bank manager.

DIFFERENCE #7
At the end of the scene with the bank manager, the Streamliner version cuts straight to Oxford.  However, the Extended version bridges the gap with footage of the boat leaving the States bound for Southampton, England.
This is followed by a shot of the train station and then the steam train heading towards Oxford.

EXTENDED VERSION  (21:05 - 21:35) - Is 30 seconds longer.


STREAMLINER VERSION
  (05:22) - The film cuts from the scene with the bank manager, straight to the establishing shot of Oxford.


The difference: 30 seconds of footage inserted to bridge the gap from the bank scene until we reach Oxford.

DIFFERENCE #8
   
...... After the opening shot of Oxford and the bells ringing the film cuts to the street outside the college.  There is a slight difference between the two prints.

EXTENDED VERSION  (21:51 - 21:53)

Just before Stan and Ollie's coach comes into view, a white car is seen driving towards the camera before passing out of shot.  Also if you look closely you can see a cyclist riding towards the screen as well.

STREAMLINER VERSION
  @ 05:35

This misses a couple of seconds and does show the white car heading towards the screen as a fade-in shot but it is largely cropped to the right hand side of the picture, as is too the cyclist.  The footage is the same, only the Extended version shows the car and man on the bicycle much more clearly.
Difference: Extended version is approximately 2 seconds longer.

DIFFERENCE #9
   
When Ollie asks for directions to find the head teacher, there is a piece of footage added to the extended version:

After...
Brown (Gerald Fielding): "Oh you mean the 'Dean'?"

EXTENDED VERSION  (23:01 - 23:15)

the scene continues in long shot without any cuts or close-ups...
Brown: "Why, it would be a pleasure to escort you there myself."
Stan and Ollie (together): "Thankyou."
Brown: "Oh by the way, have you a pass?"
Ollie: "A pass?"

Brown: "Yes, you must have a pass to see the Dean."
Ollie: "Well where do we get it?"
Brown: "From the 'pass professor'."
Ollie: "Well where do we find him?"
Brown: "Well now, you see that entrance to the hedge over there?"

STREAMLINER VERSION
  @ 06:40

Cuts from Brown saying "Oh you mean the Dean?" to Brown pointing to the maze and saying,
"Well now, you see that entrance to the hedge over there?"

Difference: There is exclusive footage to both versions here.  Extended version is approximately 14 seconds longer.
Also, there is a slightly different angle on the edit where Brown says "You see that entrance to the hedge over there?"
In the Extended version, it is in long-shot with Stan and Ollie, and in the Streamliner version it is a close-up only on him.
......  

DIFFERENCE #10
   
...... As Brown is giving directions to Stan and Ollie about which way to go in the maze...

EXTENDED VERSION  (23:32 - 23:49)

The scene begins with Brown saying, "...then after you've been to the right, you keep going right until you come to the left turn again.  Then - you go right again until you find yourself left, on the right side."
It continues:

Stan: "Huh!"
Brown: "Oh I know it sounds a bit complicated but if you keep to the right, you simply can't go wrong!"
Ollie: "Thank you."
Brown: "Now then.  When you come to the exit on the other side of the hedge, you see a sign with a hand pointing to the professor's lodge."
Stan: "Is that to the right or to the left?"
Brown: "My dear old thing, it makes no difference!"
Stan: "Now let me get this straight!"

STREAMLINER VERSION
  @ 07:00

This simplifies Brown's directions speech.
It cuts from him saying "...then after you've been to the right, you keep going right until you come to the left turn again.  Then - you go right again until you find yourself left, on the right side."
....to.....
Stan: "Now let me get this straight!"

Difference: Extended version is approximately 17 seconds longer.

DIFFERENCE #11
   
As the boys start to get lost in the maze there is a very small difference:
Watch as Stan appears from the left of the screen in close-up, followed by Ollie as they walk towards the right of the screen, holding the large suitcase...

EXTENDED VERSION  (25:14 - 25:21)

Stan and Ollie walk past a cherub statue, perched on top of a small table.
Ollie: "Now to the right."
(cuts to scene with them walking from left to right)
Ollie: "Wait a minute.  All we're doing is going around in circles."
(this is just as the two chairs in the background come into view)

STREAMLINER VERSION
  @ 08:24

Cuts from Stan appears from the left of the screen in close-up, followed by Ollie as they walk towards
the right of the screen, holding the large suitcase... and resumes with:
Ollie: "Wait a minute.  All we're doing is going around in circles."
(this is just as the two chairs in the background come into view)

Difference: This is a sneaky little trim from the Streamliner version which only real avid fans would have spotted.
Extended version is 7 seconds longer.
......

DIFFERENCE #12
   
...... As Stan sees the EXIT sign and walks out of the maze...

EXTENDED VERSION  (27:49 - 28:12)

Stan runs back into the maze and calls out for Ollie:

Stan: "Oh Ollie!"

Ollie: "Where are you?"
(Stan comes into view in the background as Ollie turns his back)
Stan: "I'm here, where are you?"
Ollie: "I'm here."
Stan: "How can you be here if I'm here?"
Ollie: "Well Stan, I'm exactly where... will you come and find me!"
Stan: "Well I will as soon as I can find myself!  What does he think I am?  Can't be in two places at once."
(Stan practically walks into Ollie and does a double-take)
Stan: "Here we are!"
Ollie: "Will you show me the exit?"

STREAMLINER VERSION
  @ 10:52

we fade-in to Stan meeting back up with Ollie and Ollie asking Stan: "Will you show me the exit?"

Difference: Extended version is approximately 23 seconds longer.

DIFFERENCE #13
   
During the maze scene, we cut away to the large clock tower striking mid-night.

EXTENDED VERSION  (28:30 - 28:35) & (28:39-28:53)

Section I
A tired looking Stan continues to lead Ollie through the maze whilst holding the "EXIT" sign.
This short section lasts about 7 seconds before we cut to the students at the opening of the maze putting on their ghost outfit (as seen in the Streamliner version).

THEN we cut back to Stan and Ollie in the maze...
Section II
Ollie: "Hey, just a minute.  What did you do with the suitcases?"
Stan: "I put them on top of the trunk"
Ollie: "Have I been carrying these all the time?  Get these off of my back!"
(we then cut to a closer shot of the pranksters outside the maze putting on the ghost outfit).

STREAMLINER VERSION
  @ 11:10

We cut from the clock tower to the shot of the students at the opening of the maze and putting on their ghost outfit in long-shot, and then in close-up.  This cuts out the 7 seconds in Section I and the 14 seconds in Section II.

Difference: .
Extended version is 21 seconds longer and features two brief segments of dialogue betweeen Stan and Ollie.
......

DIFFERENCE #14
   
...... We have to wait a little while for the next edit.  It comes just after the clocktower chimes 9 o'clock.  Stan and Ollie are still in the maze, sitting on the trunk:

EXTENDED VERSION  (36:21 - 36:38)

Stan: "You know what?"
Ollie: "What?"
Stan: "I think that fella who sent us in here made a fool out of you."
Ollie: "Yes, and if I ever see him again I'll punch him right in the nose."
Stan: "I don't blame you.  Say, I thought you said you could read character?"
Ollie: "I can.  But he was two-faced."
Stan: "Oh."
Ollie: "You know, I'll never trust anybody ever again as long as I live."
Stan: "That's a good idea!"

STREAMLINER VERSION  @ 18:40
We cut from the clock-tower, straight to:
Ollie: "You know, I'll never trust anybody again as long as I live."
Stan: "That's a good idea!"

Then at 18:46, Ollie adds the line....
Ollie: "Not Even YOU!"
...which is absent from the Extended version.

Difference: Extended version is 17 seconds longer, but the Streamliner version contains one extra line of dialogue, lasting 2 seconds.  So, 15 seconds extra.

DIFFERENCE #15
   
As we finally leave the maze, we cut to an interior shot of the students preparing to greet Stan and Ollie.
After "Bring them across to Johnson's quarters, the boys have everything arranged"....

EXTENDED VERSION  (36:49 - 36:51) & (28:39-28:53)

Johnson (Gerald Rogers) begins the scene with...
"Well, er, (coughs) how do I look?"

STREAMLINER VERSION
  @ 18:51

Cuts out the first 2 seconds and begins with "How do I look?"

Difference:
Extended version is 2 seconds longer and features only an extra couple of words.
Very easy to miss, but is counts as a difference!
......

DIFFERENCE #16
Shortly after "Difference #15", the students, led by Charlie Hall, all scramble to hide.  He says, "Hurry fellas, here comes Cecil with the Chumps".  The men all shuffle to the desk...

EXTENDED VERSION  (37:11 - 38:23)

The scene continues....with Stan and Ollie being led into the room by Cecil (Victor Kendall).
Cecil: "This way please.  Dean, may I present the two new boys from America.  This is Doctor Ramsbottom, the Dean of our university."
Ollie: "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Dean."
Johnson: "Charmed, I'm sure.  Meet Professor Push-happeny.  Doctor Pigsfoot.  And his brother, Trotter"
(Stan and Ollie nod)
Johnson: "Well dear old things.  Heartiest congratulations and all that sort of thing on your entrance into dear old Oxford.  I hope our association will be a happy union.  And we wish to show our hospitality, true to the traditions of our college by giving you a most hearty and royal greeting.  Cheerio, I don't think!
Ollie: "Thank you very much."
Johnson: "Now is everything in readiness to escort these gentlemen to their quarters?"
(Others at once): "Everything"
Johnson: "Then, carry on!"
(all sing "For he's a jolly good fellow")

We then cut to the Dean (Wilfred Lucas) and his assistant walking from left to right across the room whilst talking.

STREAMLINER VERSION  @ 19:08
The scene cuts mid-way through the men scrambling behind the desk to the Dean and his assistant walking from left to right across the room whilst talking.

Difference: Extended version is 72 seconds longer and includes the whole introductory ceremony, which is completely missing in the Streamliner.

DIFFERENCE #17
   
...... Stan and Ollie are in the Dean's quarters when the pranksters hear the real Dean approaching.  They scuttle around to hide behind a large screen.

EXTENDED VERSION  (40:54 - 41:37)

the scene continues...and the screen falls down, exposing the men behind it.
The loud banging sound disturbs Stan and Ollie in the next room.

Ollie: "Did you hear that?"
Stan: "Sure, what is it?"
Ollie: "I don't know; go see!"
(Stan leaves the room and looks around, sees nothing and then returns to the bedroom and climbs over an assortment of clothing.)
Stan: "Nobody there.  It couldn't have been somebody."
Ollie: "How about forty winks?"
Stan: "That's a good idea."
(Ollie holds up his glass and then we cut to the Dean entering the room next door).

STREAMLINER VERSION  @ 21:41
We cut from the pranksters hiding behind the screen (we don't see it falling over) to the Dean entering the room.

Difference: Extended version is 43 seconds longer.

DIFFERENCE #18
   
The introduction of Meredith is slightly different.  Meredith knocks on the door and Ollie says "Come in".
Meredith walks in, "How do you do gentlemen..."

EXTENDED VERSION  (47:57 - 48:04)

The scene continues with Meredith: "I'm Meredith".
Ollie: "I'm Mr. Hardy.  This is my friend Mr. Laurel."
Meredith: "How do you do Mr. Hardy, how do you do Mr. L...."
(Meredith pauses in amazement, before addressing Stan)
Meredith: "Your lordship!"

STREAMLINER VERSION
  @ 28:01

Cuts half-way through Meredith's opening line, to "Your lordship!"

Difference:
Extended version is 7 seconds longer.
......

DIFFERENCE #19
   
...... After Meredith has explained some of Lord Paddington's strange mannerisms, Ollie tells Stan to demonstrate by wiggling his ears.  Stan tries but then confesses, "I can't wiggle my ears".
Ollie turns to Meredith and says "Now stop this kidding and we don't want to hear any more about it."  Meredith walks off with a "Very good sir".


EXTENDED VERSION  (50:38 - 51:02)

the scene continues...

Stan: "Say, why don't you read his character?  Maybe he's right?  Maybe I am a Lordship!"
Ollie (sarcastically): "YOU - a Lordship!  And we're only this far from home!" (uses fingers to demonstrate a previous remark Stan made)
Stan: "Well I knew a fella once who lost his memory.  He's better now.  You see...."
(Ollie shoves Stan, causing his hat to fall off.  Stan then scratches his head)
The scene cuts to the students outside marching along and chanting "Fee Fi Fo Fum...."

STREAMLINER VERSION  @ 30:35
The scene cuts to the students outside marching along and chanting "Fee Fi Fo Fum...."

Difference: Extended version is 24 seconds longer.

DIFFERENCE #20
   
The students have burst into Paddington's study and threaten him.
Paddington: "What is the meaning of this vulgar intrusion?"
Charlie Hall: "You know what we mean."
Johnson: " We're going to take off your britches and run you out of Oxford"

EXTENDED VERSION  (53:32 - 53:42)

The scene continues with...
Paddington: "What?  Take off my britches?  In the presence of Meredith?"
Charlie Hall: "Yes, you dirty snitcher!"
Paddington: "Repeat that remark again."
(all students): "Dirty snitcher!"
The scene cuts to a close-up on Paddington wiggling his ears.

STREAMLINER VERSION
  @ 33:05

The scene cuts to a close-up on Paddington wiggling his ears.

Difference:
Extended version is 10 seconds longer.
......

DIFFERENCE #21
   
...... When Paddington starts throwing the students out of the window...the camera zooms in on Paddington wiggling his ears...

EXTENDED VERSION  (54:05 - 54:07)
The camera cuts to a long-shot of a student jumping into the pool.
It is very brief, then cuts to the window....

STREAMLINER VERSION  @ 33:27
The scene cuts to a close-up shot on the window with student #2 flying through it.

Difference: Extended version is 2 seconds longer.

DIFFERENCE #22
   
Only watching the two versions side-by-side can you really spot this difference....
When the Dean comes running up the stairs, he is the next to leave the window...

EXTENDED VERSION  (54:31 - 54:32)

As he flies out onto the blanket being held by the students, he does a forward somersault before landing in the pond.

STREAMLINER VERSION
  @ 33:51

Slightly different here, as instead of the forward somersault, the Dean does a flying bellyflop towards the pond.

Difference:
No timing difference, just two alternate takes of the same scene.
......